US Patent 11880369 Pruning data based on state of top K operator

A top K query directed at a table is received. The table is organized into multiple storage units. The top K query comprises a first clause to sort a result set in order and a second clause that specifies a limit on a number of results provided in response to the query. A table scan operator identifies a first set of rows from the table based on a scan set determined for the table and provides the first set of rows to a top K operator. The top K operator determines a current boundary based on the first set of rows and provides the current boundary to the table scan operator. The table scan operator prunes the scan set based on the current boundary and identifies a second set of rows from the table based on the pruning.